The <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-top-3-possible-targets-for-warriors-to-bolster-roster-20230529-SPD-3660.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Golden State Warriors</a> will do everything in their power to re-sign <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-top-3-most-likely-destinations-for-chris-paul-in-case-of-suns-exit-20230607-SPD-3679.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Draymond Green</a>. Without him, they have almost little chance of winning the NBA title this season.



It is anticipated that Green will return to the Bay Area. He may return to the franchise that drafted him after signing a three- or four-year contract for $100 million to $120 million.



But suppose that isn’t the situation. He is a free agent with several suitors and may choose to sign with anybody he pleases. In light of this, we will discuss three potential stops should he decide to leave the Warriors.



<h2>3. Portland Trail Blazers</h2>



The Portland Trail Blazers are making every effort to surround star point guard Damian Lillard with equally talented teammates. They need a tough interior defender, and his exceptional playmaking skills might propel him to the next level.



The Warriors might benefit from a sign-and-trade involving Green, who would provide the Blazers with two seasoned players and some valuable assets in exchange.



<h2>2. Los Angeles Lakers</h2>



Never count out the Los Angeles Lakers, as they will never stop trying to sign the best players in the league. In a similar vein, a sign-and-trade would be necessary to finalize the transaction.



What the Lakers might give the Warriors beyond that first-round selection or D’Angelo Russell, who has already struggled in the Bay Area, is uncertain. Green is represented by the same agency as LeBron James and Anthony Davis, thus his prospects are high.



<h2>1. Miami Heat</h2>



It has been said that Pat Riley is putting in extra hours in his pursuit of a new superstar. The Miami Heat have previously come close to winning an NBA title too many times and need one more player to finally break through.



They’re watching Damian Lillard, but if they don’t land him, they could go after Draymond Green, a tough leader who would mesh well with their current roster and Jimmy Butler.

NBA: Top 3 most likely destinations for Draymond Green in case of Warriors exit - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA: Top 3 most likely destinations for Draymond Green in case of Warriors exit

miniaturas

For good reason, <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-top-3-most-likely-destinations-for-chris-paul-in-case-of-suns-exit-20230607-SPD-3679.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Damian Lillard</a> is the topic of most conversation among NBA fans right now. The first signs that he could be thinking about quitting the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-top-3-most-likely-destinations-for-austin-reaves-in-case-of-lakers-exit-20230609-SPD-3683.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portland Trail Blazers</a> have appeared.



Lillard is a top scorer in the NBA and a strong leader who would benefit whatever club he joins. There are likely several franchises that would want to make him an offer.



The Blazers, though, owe it to him to trade him to a more suitable club. Let’s examine the three places where he’s most likely to end up in light of this information.



<h2>3. Philadelphia 76ers</h2>



Due to James Harden’s expected departure from the Philadelphia 76ers this summer, it is clear that the team has to get a new point guard.



He would be able to play with reigning MVP Joel Embiid for a strong coach in Nick Nurse, and the team would have a legitimate shot at winning its first title in almost a decade.



<h2>2. Brooklyn Nets</h2>



Lillard, when questioned about his plans, said that the Brooklyn Nets may be a good fit for him because of his friendship with Mikal Bridges.



The Nets want to make up for the disastrous years they spent with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, and they have no incentive to tank since the Houston Rockets can trade draft selections with them.



<h2>1. Miami Heat</h2>



This squad was Lillard’s first choice when asked where he would want to play if he decided to leave the Blazers this summer.



Lillard’s best buddy Bam Adebayo exemplifies the spirit of Heat Culture. He would be an ideal addition to the team that Pat Riley has reshaped since becoming its leader.

NBA: Top 3 most likely destinations for Damian Lillard in case of Trail Blazers exit - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA: Top 3 most likely destinations for Damian Lillard in case of Trail Blazers exit

The NBA is full of unexpected twists and turns. Even <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-top-3-most-likely-destinations-for-giannis-antetokounmpo-in-case-of-bucks-exit-20230510-SPD-3629.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Draymond Green</a>, who has alluded to leaving the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/top-3-greatest-2023-nba-mvp-award-snubs-20230503-SPD-3616.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Golden State Warriors</a> in the past, may be traded at any time.



Since Green assumed the starting PF role for the Warriors, he has been an integral component of the team’s historic run of success. Some others believe he’s overstayed his welcome since he’s been at the center of so many controversies.



Whatever the case may be, and despite his lack of scoring prowess, Green should get a great deal of interest from teams throughout the league. In light of this, here are three potential suitors for the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.



<h2>3. Portland Trail Blazers</h2>



The Portland Trail Blazers have a choice to make: whether to blow up the current squad and start over by trading star point guard Damian Lillard or to give the current group one more shot. If the latter is the case, then acquiring Draymond is an obvious move.



Despite rumors to the contrary, Green did not join the Portland Trail Blazers. Therefore, it appears like a good time for both parties to try to move on from one another.



<h2>2. Los Angeles Lakers</h2>



That Draymond Green, forward for the Golden State Warriors, is a huge admirer of LeBron James is common knowledge at this time. After years of supporting one other in the media, Green and James have turned their formerly heated on-court competition into a solid relationship.



In the same way that Rich Paul and Klutch Sports represent LeBron and Anthony Davis, they also represent Green. Both LeBron and the Los Angeles Lakers are notorious talent magnets. The opportunity to realize his ambitions should not be wasted.



<h2>1. Dallas Mavericks</h2>



The Dallas Mavericks will never be able to break through until they improve their defense and tenacity. Draymond Green satisfies all requirements and would be a tremendous asset to the Warriors’ playoff hopes.



Without another ball-handler—one of Green’s strengths—Luka Doncic cannot single-handedly lead this club far into the playoffs, regardless of whether Kyrie Irving is on the squad or not. With Jason Kidd at the helm, he might contribute to a winning culture.

It is not in <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/i-thought-for-sure-i-was-going-back-home-donovan-mitchell-on-his-failed-knicks-move-2756-20220914-SPD-2756.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Damian Lillard</a>‘s plans to leave the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-how-patrick-beverley-trade-could-impact-future-of-russell-westbrook-at-lakers-2618-20220827-SPD-2618.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portland Trail Blazers</a>, where he has played his entire professional basketball career. Lillard recently said on the Dave Pasch Podcast that he has no intentions to leave Portland anytime soon.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">To a question about whether or not he plans to play all his career with the Blazers, Lillard said, “I do. I do. I’ve had my share of people saying, ‘Man, you got to get out of there. You’ve got to do this, you’ve got to do that.’ But I’m the type of person that I’m never going to be marching to the beat of nobody else’s drum. I’m going to always do what I feel like is in my best interest and that I really feel in my heart.</blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“I want to win. I want to win in Portland. It would mean something to me to do it here. … This is me being loyal to who I am, and how I feel and what I want to see happen. I would love to finish my career here. That’s my plan, and that’s that.”</blockquote>



<h2>Damian Lillard plans to remain with Trail Blazers for life</h2>



Lillard was picked by the Trail Blazers in the sixth round of the 2012 NBA Draft. Only two other current players have been with the club that selected them longer than Lillard has now: Warriors guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Lillard places a high value on loyalty, and he believes that remaining with the Blazers and the Portland Trail Blazers organization is a way for him to honor both himself and the team.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“I feel like we’ll have a chance to win. feel like that moment is going to come. I feel like that opportunity is going to come, and that’s that. As long as I feel that our organization is putting their best foot forward and we’re on the same page about doing everything that we can do to win, then I’m willing to go out swinging.”</blockquote>

Damian Lillard committed to Trail Blazers for rest of his career - thesportsdrops NEWS

Damian Lillard committed to Trail Blazers for rest of his career

<a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-eric-bledsoe-to-become-free-agent-after-blazers-cut-ties-2068-20220708-SPD-2068.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Damian Lillard</a>, a key player for the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-trail-blazers-in-talks-for-matisse-thybulle-with-76ers-1726-20220624-SPD-1726.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portland Trail Blazers</a>, is very close to finalizing an extension that would pay him $122 million over the course of two more seasons. According to Bobby Marks of ESPN, it will keep him in Portland until the 2026-27 season, making him one of the biggest earners in the history of the NBA.



According to Spotrac, Damian Lillard’s lifetime earnings from playing on the court will surpass $450 million by the time his contract expires in 2027. This would place him third in all-time earnings, behind only <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-nets-seeking-to-secure-a-deal-for-kevin-durant-after-star-requests-trade-1907-20220630-SPD-1907.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevin Durant</a> and <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-stephen-curry-wins-first-finals-mvp-award-in-career-1586-20220617-SPD-1586.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stephen Curry.</a>



Lillard is coming off of an injury-plagued season in which he participated in just 29 games, which was the fewest number of games he has ever played in throughout his career. As the Trail Blazers slipped out of postseason contention, he was forced to be shut down after undergoing stomach surgery to treat a nagging issue. 



<h2>Damian Lillard to stay failtful to Portland for another two years</h2>



Even as the Trail Blazers try to retool after a disappointing season, the six-time All-Star remains the team’s central figure. The 31-year-old has played his whole career in Portland, where he won the Rookie of the Year title in 2012-13 and was selected for six All-Star games and six times earned All-NBA accolades.



Now that they have the star point guard under contract, Chauncey Billups’ side have an obligation to provide him the tools he needs to be successful in the NBA Playoffs. This summer, they have strengthened their roster by re-signing Jusuf Nurkic and Anfernee Simons and by acquiring Jerami Grant and Gary Payton II.

NBA Free Agency: New Trail Blazers contract to make Damian Lillard one of highest earners in NBA history - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA Free Agency: New Trail Blazers contract to make Damian Lillard one of highest earners in NBA history

A report by Shams Charania claims that the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-trail-blazers-in-talks-for-matisse-thybulle-with-76ers-1726-20220624-SPD-1726.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portland Trail Blazers</a> would release veteran point guard <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-trail-blazers-and-kings-among-teams-interested-in-hawks-john-collins-1716-20220623-SPD-1716.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Bledsoe</a> before the last year of his deal is guaranteed. 



Now that Bledsoe is a free agent, he is likely to be pursued by a slew of NBA clubs. The 32-year-old point guard was traded for Norman Powell and Robert Covington to the Los Angeles Clippers.



Eric Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson, and a future second-round pick were acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers only days before the trade deadline last season.



<h2>Eric Bledsoe to leave Portland without ever playing</h2>



However, when Bledsoe arrived in Portland, he was diagnosed with an Achilles tendon injury and was declared out for the season. As a result, the Blazers never played a game with him on the roster. 



A platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection to treat tendinopathy in his left Achilles tendon was disclosed by the club in March, and he was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the season. Furthermore, with a $3.9 million guarantee for next season, the decision to let him go this summer was always inevitable.

NBA Rumors: Eric Bledsoe to become free agent after Blazers cut ties - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA Rumors: Eric Bledsoe to become free agent after Blazers cut ties

Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer claims that the <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-trail-blazers-and-kings-among-teams-interested-in-hawks-john-collins-1716-20220623-SPD-1716.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portland Trail Blazers</a> are in talks with the team about a <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-james-harden-poised-to-agree-shorter-term-contract-extension-with-76ers-1621-20220618-SPD-1621.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Matisse Thybulle</a> trade. In a three-team transaction including Matisse Thybulle, the <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-james-harden-poised-to-agree-shorter-term-contract-extension-with-76ers-1621-20220618-SPD-1621.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philadelphia 76ers</a> want to obtain Houston Rockets player Eric Gordon for their franchise. 



Portland Trail Blazers are interested in signing Thybulle on a ‘straight-up contract’ Pompey said. There is some indication that the Blazers are open to trading for Thybulle in a three-team trade, but that hasn’t been confirmed yet.



Alykhan Bijani, a Houston Rockets insider, has also verified that Houston and Philadelphia are interested in a trade for Gordon, with the possibility of a third team.



<h2>Could Matisse Thybulle be traded to Sixers?</h2>



The Philadelphia 76ers seem to be attempting to replicate the success of the Houston Rockets in the Eastern Conference this summer. Sixers acquired James Harden on Feb. 27 at the trade deadline. As of right now, it looks like they are looking to bring in more ex-Rockets players.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Now, the executive is pursuing former Houston power forward PJ Tucker, league sources confirm. Sources have also said the Sixers are looking to make a three-team trade that could involve Matisse Thybulle and the No. 23 pick to create space.”<cite>Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer</cite></blockquote>

NBA Rumors: Trail Blazers in talks for Matisse Thybulle with 76ers - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA Rumors: Trail Blazers in talks for Matisse Thybulle with 76ers

To change things up in a significant manner, the <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/magic-johnson-explains-what-the-lakers-should-expect-from-their-new-head-coach-1011-20220523-SPD-1011.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Atlanta Hawks</a> may be willing to move one of their most important players over the summer. According to Marc Stein, the Hawks are set to trade power forward <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-deandre-ayton-requested-maximum-deal-from-suns-1080-20220526-SPD-1080.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">John Collins</a> this summer. 



A player option for the 2025-26 season might help make Collins more enticing to potential suitors since he still has four years left on his current deal. Since last season saw the Hawks make it to the Eastern Conference finals before being knocked out in the first round this year, the team’s top management has obviously decided that they need to make some changes to the squad.



Aside from the Portland Trail Blazers, it’s likely there are many more teams interested in Collins. In addition to the Hawks, the Sacramento Kings have also shown interest in the 24-year-old, according to Shams Charania.



<h2>Where could Collins be traded?</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“The likelihood of a John Collins trade, league sources indicate, is as high as it’s ever been. Collins just completed the first season of a five-year, $125 million contract, but the newness of his deal didn’t do anything to downgrade external interest in the 6-foot-9 forward that has bubbled leaguewide since talks broke down between Collins and Hawks on a $90 million extension at the start of the 2020-21 season.“He was one of the league’s most-talked-about trade targets this season until Atlanta ultimately decided to shut down all Collins discussions before the Feb. 10 trade buzzer when the team started to pull out of its 17-25 start. The trade chatter has since only intensified since Atlanta’s meek first-round exit to Miami in five games… I’ve been advised that relocation for Collins this offseason is pretty much expected now.”<cite>Marc Stein on Collins</cite></blockquote>

NBA Rumors: Trail Blazers and Kings among teams interested in Hawks' John Collins - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA Rumors: Trail Blazers and Kings among teams interested in Hawks' John Collins

Frank Vogel was dismissed by the <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers-why-kobe-bryant-changed-jersey-number-from-no-8-to-no-24-231-20220503-SPD-231.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a> after their poor performance in the 2021-22 season. The hunt for a new head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers has been sluggish to start, but it seems to be getting some steam.



Thus, the team has interviewed veteran NBA analyst and former <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/top-3-best-point-guards-of-all-time-in-nba-107-20220502-SPD-107.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Golden State Warriors</a> coach Mark Jackson has been, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.



On the other hand, as per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Lakers have also interviewed ex-<a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-players-with-most-triple-doubles-of-all-time-214-20220503-SPD-214.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portland Trail Blazers</a> coach Terry Stotts.



<h2>Mark Jackson and Terry Stotts add to Lakers’ options</h2>



Three years with the Golden State Warriors ended with Jackson’s dismissal as head coach in 2014. He has a record of 121-109. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr led the team to the NBA championship the season after Jackson’s dismissal.



With the backing of the Lakers, Jackson may return to his position as head coach. <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-lebron-james-gets-strong-support-from-lakers-teammate-426-20220505-SPD-426.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LeBron James</a> would be “extremely excited” if his side hired Jackson, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.

Portland Trail Blazers

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NBA: Top 3 most likely destinations for Draymond Green in case of Warriors exit

Damian Lillard committed to Trail Blazers for rest of his career

NBA Free Agency: New Trail Blazers contract to make Damian Lillard one of highest earners in NBA history

NBA Rumors: Eric Bledsoe to become free agent after Blazers cut ties

NBA Rumors: Trail Blazers in talks for Matisse Thybulle with 76ers

NBA Rumors: Trail Blazers and Kings among teams interested in Hawks' John Collins

NBA News: Los Angeles Lakers interview Mark Jackson and Terry Stotts for coaching position

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